Circuit-interrupter.



J. NfMAHONEY.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTEB.

APPLICATION mm DEC. 2. m5.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR v I Jpsepfi /V Mafia/7A7 WITNESSES KM%M 'ATTORNEY J. N.MAHONEY.

ClRCUlT INTEBRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED 0c.2,19|s.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

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I I 35 53 l! 24 '1 l h H INVENT OR Joseg /l /V Ma/mne y WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'OSEPI-I N. MAI-IONEY, OF WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOWESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH N. MAHoNnr, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of W'ilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inCirouit-Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly tocombined actuating, tripping, accelerating, retarding and restraining orlocking devices therefor.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the above indicatedcharacter having means for locking the circuit interrupter in its openand in its closed position and for automatically releasing the lockingmeans, under predetermined conditions.

Frequently, it is desirable to look a circuit interrupter in either itsopen or its closed position. In order to obtain a device having theabove mentioned characteristics, I provide a structure comprising anactuating electromagnet and a tripping electromagnet having cooperatingcore members, and a looking or restraining device for the core membersthat is actuated by the tripping electromagnet. The device is soconstructed that, if it is desired to unlock the interrupter to open thesame, the tripping electromagnet is energized, and, if it is desired tounlock the interrupter to close the same, the tripping and the actuatingelectromagnets are both energized. The

magnetic lag in the iron circuit of the actuating electromagnet is soproportioned that it is greater than that of the tripping electromagnet,thus permitting the lock to restrain the interrupter in the closedposition when the circuits of both electromagnets are opened.

In my device, the movable core member of the tripping electromagnet isadapted to assume two distinct positions with respect to the trippingand the actuating electro magnets. That is, the movable core membercomprises two relatively movable magnetizable portions one of which issubjected to the tripping electromagnet and the other of which issubjected to the actuating electromagnet. When the movable core memberof the tripping electromagnet is in its upper position, corresponding tothe open position of the interrupter, the magnetic ter is permitted tobe locked in its closed 0- I sition' even though the actuating andtripping electromagnets are both energized. However, if the trippingelectromagnet alone is energized, the interrupter is adapted to beunlocked from its closed position. In other words, when the two portionsof the core member are in their upper position, if both the tripping andactuating electromagnets are energized, the actuating electromagnetcannot move the actuating portion until the trip portion of the coremember is released. Since the tripping electro magnet acts more quicklythan the actuating electromagnet, the trip portion of the core member isoperated before the actuating electromagnet is fully energized. If bothelectromagnets remain energized, the trip portion is held out of itslocking position while the actuating portion is moved to its lowermostposition. When both of the electromagnets are deenergized the tripportion becomes deenergized first to permit the locking device to becomeoperative to hold the actuating portion before its electromagnet isentirely denergized.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical sectional view of acombined actuating tripping, accelerating, retarding and locking deviceembodying my invention; Fig. 2'is a side elevational view, with partsbroken away, of a circuit interrupter embodying my invention; Fig. 3 isa view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the device in its open position;Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the control system for the device shownin Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line VV of Fig. 3.

The circuit interrupter 1 comprises, in general, stationary and movablecontact members 2 and 3, a linkage mechanism 4 for the movable members 3and an actuating, tripping, accelerating, retarding and looking device5.

The stationary contact members 2 are supported at the lower ends ofsuitable bush- "end of an operating rod ings 6 that are adapted toprotect and support the main conductors 7 from the casing or cover 9 ofan oil-containing tank 10 in which the cooperating contact members 2 and3 are disposed. The movable contact members 3 are suitably mounted on abridging member 11 in the usual manner, and the bridging member isattached to the lower 12. The upper end of the operating rod 12 isconnected to one end of a lever arm 13 by means of a link 14, the otherend of the lever arm 13 being pivotally mounted upon projections 15 onthe cover 9. A shaft 16 is also rotatably supported by the projections15 and has a lever arm 17 mounted thereon that is operatively connectedto a point intermediate the ends of the lever arm 13 by means of a link18. A lever arm 19 is also mounted on the shaft 16 and is operativelyconnected to the actuating, tripping, accelerating, retarding andlocking device 5, as hereinafter more fully set forth. The lever arm 17and the link 18 constitute a toggle device that is provided with a stop20 for limiting the travel thereof in one direction.

The device 5 comprises, in general, a tripping electromagnet 22, anactuating electromagnet 23, dash pots 24 and 25, movable core members 26and 27 and a plurality of balls 28 that are adapted to extend betweenthe core member 27 and a stationary member 29 for the purpose of lockingthe circuit interrupter in its open and in its closed position.

The movable core member 27 is provided with an opening 30 that extendsinwardly from its upper end, and in which issecured one end of anon-magnetic tube 31. A magnetizable member 32 is secured in the upperportion of the tube 31 and is connected, by means of a rod 33, to apiston 34 that is restrained in its operation by a spring 35. Themagnetizable core member 26 is disposed within the tube 31 and looselysun rounds a rod 36 that is provided with an enlarged portion 37 at oneend and with a frusto-oonical magnetizable member 38 at its other end.A. disk or plate 39 is secured within the tubular member 31 and isprovided with an opening to permit the unobstructed passage of the rod36 therethrough. The disk 39 is adapted to support a travellimitingcollar 40 and to constitute a stop for one end of a spring 41, the otherend of which engages the member 38. The member 38 is provided with acollar 42 for limiting its upward movement by engagement with the disk39. A stationary magnetizable core member 43 is disposed in the lowerportion of the winding 23 and is provided with a valve 44 to permit therestrained escape of the air in the dash pot 25 that is former. when themovable core member 27 moves downwardly. 4 I

The movable core member 27 is provided with openings 45 at equidistantpoints around its circumference to receive the balls 28, and two sets ofsimilar openings 46 are provided in the stationary portion 29 betweenthe windings 22 and 23 for receiving portions of the balls when the sameare forced from the openings 45 by the member 38. The movable coremember 27 is provided with an opening 47 and a screw 48 which isdisposed in the stationary portion 29 for purposeshereinafter set forth.

Assume the circuit interrupter 1 to be in the position shown in thedrawings and that it is desired to open the same. The winding 22 isenergized to cause the movable core member 26 to move upwardly and, inso doing, to engage the enlarged portion 37 of the rod 36. The rod 36moves upwardly against the action of the spring 41, and, by reason ofthe shape of the member 38, per mits the balls 28 to move out of theopenings 46 into the openings 45 to thus release the movable core member27, which, by reason of the weight of the movable portions of thecircuit interrupter 1, moves upwardly to permit the disengagement of thecontact members 2 and 3. When the movable core member 27 moves upwardly,the tube 31, the movable core member 26 and the rod 36, move upwardlyuntil the openings 45 regis-- ter with the upper openings 46. After thecore member 26 has completed its upward movement, the spring 41 expandsto move the member 38 downwardly and to thus force the balls 28 into theupper openings 46 for the purpose of locking the circuit interrupter inits open position.

If it is desired to prevent the automatic closure of the circuitinterrupter, a bolt (not shown) may be inserteo in the openings 47 and47*, as hereinbefore set forth. However, if it is desired to unlock thecircuit interrupter and to effect the engagement of the contact members2 and 3, the bolt is withdrawn and the windings 22 and 23 aresir-:iultaneously energized. Because of the magnetic lag in the movablecore member 27, the movable core member 26, being more nearly surroundedby the winding 22, moves upwardly to cause the member 38 to release theballs 28. The magnetic structure of the device is so proportioned that,when the balls 28 have been released, the movable core member 27 movesdownwardly to thus actuate the movable switch members 3 through thelever 19, shaft 16, lever arms 17 and 13 and the rod 12. The screw 48 isadapted to extend into a slot 48 in the core member 27 for the purposeof preventing the core member 27 from rotating relatively to thestationary core member.

The spring 35 is adapted to accelerate the opening of the interrupter,and the dash P D 24 and 25-are provided for the purpose of retarding themovement of the operative parts of the circuit interrupter toward thelatter part of the movement thereof when the circuit interrupter isopened and closed, respectively. 7

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the interruper will belocked in its closed position when the electromagnets are simultaneouslyenergized or simultaneously open-circuited and that the energization ofthe tripping electromagnet alone will unlock the interrupter from itsclosed position.

My invention is not limited to the structural details specified, as manymodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electromagnetic device comprising a stationary member, tworelatively movable core members, a wedge member resiliently connected toone of the core members, means for actuating the core members, and ballmembers actuated by the wedge member and cooperating with the stationarymember and the other of the movable core members to lock the same in twopredetermined .positions.

2. An electromagnetic device comprising two movable core members, awedge member, means for resiliently connecting the wedge member to onemovable core member, means for independently actuating the core members,and means actuated by the Wedge member for locking the other core memberin two predetermined positions.

3. An electromagnetic device comprising a stationary member, a mainmovable core member, an auxiliary movable core member, a cam memberdisposed within the main movable core member and resiliently connectedto the auxiliary core member, means for actuating the core members, andmeans actuated by the cam member and cooperating with the stationarymember for locking the main movable core member in two predeterminedpositions.

4. An electromagnetic device comprising relatively movable main andauxiliary core members, a cam member relatively movable with respect toand operatively connected to the auxiliary core member, main andauxiliary windings for actuating the core members and means actuated bythe cam member for locking the main core member in two predeterminedpositions.

5. An electromagnetic device comprising movable main and auxiliary coremembers, a cam member resiliently connected to the auxiliary core memberand disposed in the main core member, main and auxiliary windings foractuating the core members and a ball member actuated by the cam memberfor locking the main core member in two predetermined positions.

6. An electromagnetic device comprising a main and an auxiliary movablecore member, a stationary core member, a winding for each of the movablecore members, a cam member operatively connected to the auxiliary coremember, resilient means for actuating the cam member relatively to theauxiliary core member and ball members actuated by the cam member forcooperating with the main movable and stationary core members to lockthe main movable core member under two predetermined conditions.

7. An electromagnetic device comprising a main and an auxiliary movablecore member, a stationary core member, a winding for each of the movablecore members, a cam member operatively connected to the auxiliary coremember, resilient means for actuating the cam member relatively to theauxiliary core member and means actuated by the cam member when it ismoved by the resilient means for cooperating with the stationary coremember to lock the main movable core member in a plurality ofpredetermined positions.

8. An electromagnetic device comprising two electromagnets, a cam memberdisposed Within the movable core member of one electromagnet andoperatively connected to the movable core member of the otherelectromagnet, means for moving the cam member relatively to the coremember with which it is operatively connected, and means adapted to beactuated by the cam member to restrain the movable core member of one ofthe electromagnets in a plurality of predetermined positions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th dayof Nov., 1915.

JOSEPH N. MAHONEY.

